Residents say ‘get them built’ over plans for nearly 300 homes
A bid to build hundreds of homes on the site of an old factory in Melton[1] has been made. And residents in the area, while concerned about the impact of the new housing on the town, agree the proposed estate is an improvement on the land being left standing disused.
Plans to redevelop a former factory off Snow Hill to provide 298 new homes will be considered by Melton Borough Council later this year. Amended plans for the brownfield site also include a riverside walk, a green play street and a Community Square space to provide a ‘softer, greener gateway into Melton Country Park’ according to planning documents.
The proposed site is was most recently occupied by Jeld-Wen – one of town’s biggest employers – after the company announced it would close all three of its Melton sites in July last year. Estate agent Savills said in planning documents: “The Snow Hill site is a vacant brownfield site close to the town centre in Melton Mowbray in a very sustainable location.”
Merrick Watchorn, 72, who was picking up from a nearby school with wife Sandra, also 72, said: “It (the development) will make it worse won’t it. There are only so many doctors here and the schools are full.
“At the surgery you cannot get appointments now. It’s bad enough trying to park down here already.”
But another resident local to the development, Richard Burton, 69, had a contrasting view. He said: “Get them built, the land wants to be used and it keeps getting occupied by travellers.
Richard Burton, 69, believes the plans will be a positive. (Image: Ben Carr)
“The plans look nicer than what we have at the moment. It’s a big old site, there looks to be plenty of open space.
“What are they going to do with it otherwise? Around Melton we are building on fields as it is.”
Another resident who lived adjacent to the site, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It’s better with houses on it than being there empty. It’s just a deserted factory at the moment.”
Illustrative map showing the scale of the site. (Image: Savills)
Outline plans will be ruled on by planners at Melton Borough Council in due course. Comments can be submitted on the plans before Tuesday, September 12, using reference 21/00405/FUL.